2025 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 9-11, 2025 • Pittsburgh, PA
3/18/2024 | 3:10 PM - 3:35 PM | Creating Highly Accessible Language Opportunities (HALO) to Produce REAL Outcomes | Capitol 7
Creating Highly Accessible Language Opportunities (HALO) to Produce REAL Outcomes
The Regional Early Acquisition of Language (REAL) Project South will focus on the need for urgency with regards to language acquisition for young deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) and DeafBlind (DB) children. The REAL Project South provides resources, technical assistance/consultation and training to professionals working with 0-3 DHH/DB children and their families in the 11 southern states and two US territories (Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands). REAL South staff will provide professionals with simple yet effective strategies to maximize language in the natural home environment in a variety of situations. Implementation of these strategies using both visual languages and spoken languages will be addressed.
Considerations for implementation with the DeafBlind child will be provided.
- Participants will describe the positive impact of consistent early access to language on brain development in DHH/DB children.
- Participants will explain at least three strategies for providing full linguistic access to DHH/DB infants and toddlers in the context of play, reading, and daily routines.
- Participants will generate a list of considerations for families to use as they ensure full linguistic access for DHH/DB infants and toddlers.
Presentation:
3478265_16358VictoriaHaggarty.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
3478265_16358VictoriaHaggarty.doc
Presenters/Authors
Abby Burke
(Co-Presenter), Regional Early Acquisition of Language (REAL) Project, burke.abby@aidb.org;
Abby attended the University of Georgia and Valdosta State University where she received her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Education, respectively, in Speech Language Pathology. She also holds Certification in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Infants, Toddlers and their Families: Collaboration and Leadership. After working at the Alabama School for the Deaf for 5 years as an SLP, Abby transitioned to the role of a Trainer for the REAL Project where she provided support to professionals who work with children who are deaf or hard of hearing. In April of 2024 she became Co-Director of the REAL Project.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary,Other financial benefit for Employment from Employee .
Nonfinancial -
• Has a Professional (Member of ASHA and SHAA)
relationship for Other volunteer activities.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, REAL Project.
Nature: I receive a salary from the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Ukawia Johnson
(Author,Co-Author), Regional Early Acquisition of Language (REAL) Project, johnson.ukawia@aidb.org;
Ukawia Johnson is a Family Education Trainer with REAL, dedicated to empowering families through identifying strengths and addressing needs. With years of experience, she connects families with essential resources and support to help them achieve their goals. As a mother of a Deaf plus son, Ukawia advocates for continuous guidance and support, believing it is essential for the success of both children and their families.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from alabama institute of deaf and blind.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with AIDB.
Nature: Employment.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Victoria Haggarty
(Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter), Regional Early Acquisition of Language (REAL) Project, haggarty.victoria@aidb.org;
Victoria Haggarty, Ed.S.: Victoria is a Co-Director with the Regional Early Acquisition of Language (REAL) Project. She earned a Master of Science in both Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Pre-K-12th and Art Education K-12th at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. For 9 years, she taught deaf and hard of hearing children in preschool through high school. She completed the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Infants, Toddlers, and Families (ITF): Collaboration and Leadership Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate Program at Gallaudet University. She received her Education Specialist degree in Deaf Education with a concentration in ASL/English Bilingual Deaf Education for Ages 0-5 at Gallaudet University.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Regional Early Acquisition of Language (REAL).
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Regional Early Acquisition of Language (REAL).
Nature: Employment.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.